Argentina: Protesters March Against Privatization of National Territory, Face Police Repression

Wait 5 sec.

On Thursday, August 6, amid persistent rain, protesters in Buenos Aires mobilized in front of the Argentinian National Congress to express their condemnation of the “Inviolability of Private Property” bill promoted by Javier Milei’s government. The day was marked by police repression against the protesters.Social organizations reported that the security forces attacked the protesters during the mobilization, which was taking place peacefully in the vicinity of the legislative building.📌 Diversas organizaciones sociales, polĂ­ticas y sindicales de Argentina se movilizan en rechazo al proyecto de ley oficialmente denominado “Ley de Inviolabilidad de la Propiedad Privada” impulsado por el Gobierno de Javier Milei.🔮 Las protestas se concentran frente al
 pic.twitter.com/6V1sN1jqWA— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) August 6, 2026In defense of Argentinian sovereignty and under the slogan “The homeland is not for sale, it is not to be burned or evicted,” the call brought together the workers’ unions CGT and the two CTAs, the Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP), environmental organizations, civil society, and Peronist and leftist sectors. The march took place while the Senate was holding a session to discuss the bill. In addition to the mobilization in Buenos Aires, protests occurred in cities across the country.Repression with fire hoses, tear gas, and rubber bulletsAs the afternoon went on, federal security forces advanced on the protesters with water cannons and tear gas. Social organizations, unions, and leaders present at the scene reported that the police began to disperse the protest despite there being no incidents or acts of violence by the demonstrators.For the moment, the authorities have not reported whether any arrests were made during the operation. However, through television images, it was clear that at least one person was injured in the eyelid by a rubber bullet.The organizers criticized Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, whom they held responsible for the police operation. Towards the end of the day, police forces also shot rubber bullets at the intersection of Callao and BartolomĂ© Miter and in the vicinity of the Plaza del Congreso. Journalists covering the protest were also injured.❗ ESCÁNDALO TOTAL: ALEJANDRA MONTEOLIVA ORDENÓ REPRIMIR A QUIENES SE MANIFESTABAN PACÍFICAMENTE CONTRA LA LEY DE TIERRASLa PolicĂ­a lanzĂł camiones hidrantes contra las miles de personas que se movilizan frente al Congreso para rechazar la Ley de Tierras impulsada por el
 pic.twitter.com/Qdsa4n2n1F— Diagonales (@diagonalesweb) August 6, 2026After the disproportionate repression, protesters headed to Plaza de Mayo to continue the mobilization against the legislative initiative promoted by Javier Milei’s far-right government.What is being debated in the SenateThe mobilization continued; however, hours earlier, the ruling bloc formally withdrew the chapter that allowed the sale of rural land to foreigners due to growing popular rejection and the lack of consensus to guarantee its approval in Thursday’s session.However, the protesting organizations warned that the rest of the project represents a “direct attack” on housing, communal, and ecological rights.Among the points that have generated the most criticism is the amendment to the Fire Management Law, which drastically reduces the 30-year prohibition on changing the use of rural lands, pastures, and agricultural areas devastated by fires. Environmental organizations point out that the measure could encourage the intentional starting of fires to enable the conversion of rural lands for real estate or agricultural use.Public Sector Workers of Argentina Launch Strike Against Milei’s Austerity PoliciesAnother point of rejection is the institutionalization of what tenant organizations call “express eviction.” The president of the National Tenants’ Federation, Gervasio Muñoz, explained that the reform removes judicial defense guarantees for tenants. It would allow the owner to go to court and declare that the tenant did not pay or does not have a contract, and have the eviction ordered within 72 hours, without any real possibility for the affected family to defend themselves.These changes are compounded by the tightening of conditions for expropriations for public utility and the rollback of regulations that protect communal land ownership, a point that particularly concerns the UTEP and indigenous communities, who would be at increased risk of exposure to extractivist advances and local landowners. (Telesur)Translation: Orinoco TribuneOT/SC/SF